My Baby Isn't Pointing
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about isn't pointing, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too.
Key takeaways
- Pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 14 months and shares attention with you in other ways - looking back and forth, holding up toys, or reaching toward interesting things.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP guidelines, pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too. At 6-9 months, pointing isn't expected yet. Your baby is working on the building blocks - reaching for things, looking where you look, and starting to follow your gaze. You might see your baby extend their hand or open and close their fist toward objects they want. This is the precursor to pointing, and it's right on schedule. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 14 months and shares attention with you in other ways - looking back and forth, holding up toys, or reaching toward interesting things. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-9 months
Pointing isn't expected yet. Your baby is working on the building blocks - reaching for things, looking where you look, and starting to follow your gaze. You might see your baby extend their hand or open and close their fist toward objects they want. This is the precursor to pointing, and it's right on schedule.
10-12 months
Some babies start pointing around 12 months, but many haven't figured it out yet. What you're watching for is whether your baby is sharing attention with you in other ways: looking back and forth between you and something interesting, holding up objects to show you, or making sounds while looking at something they want you to see. These are all signs that social communication is developing.
13-15 months
Most babies are pointing by this age, either to request things ("I want that") or to share interest ("Look at that dog!"). Both types of pointing matter, but pointing to share interest (called "protodeclarative pointing") is especially important for development. If your baby isn't pointing yet but is showing you things and making eye contact, keep watching - it may emerge soon.
16-18 months
If your child isn't pointing by 16 months, it's a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. Absence of pointing by 18 months is one of the key indicators that a developmental evaluation is warranted. This doesn't mean there's definitely a problem, but it means the question is worth answering with professional help.
18+ months
If your toddler still isn't pointing, please talk to your pediatrician about a developmental evaluation. Pointing is connected to joint attention - the ability to share focus with another person - which is a foundational social skill. Early support can make a meaningful difference, and many children thrive with timely intervention.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't pointing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is 14-18 months and doesn't point in any form (whole hand or index finger) and doesn't show you objects by holding them up.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to follow your point - when you point at something across the room, they look at your hand instead of where you're pointing.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 14 months and shares attention with you in other ways - looking back and forth, holding up toys, or reaching toward interesting things.
- Your baby points with their whole hand rather than an index finger - open-hand pointing is a normal early form.
- Your baby points to request things but not yet to share interest - requesting typically comes first.
- Your baby is very physically active and focused on motor milestones - sometimes communication skills emerge in a burst after a motor leap.
- Your baby is 14-18 months and doesn't point in any form (whole hand or index finger) and doesn't show you objects by holding them up.
- Your baby doesn't seem to follow your point - when you point at something across the room, they look at your hand instead of where you're pointing.
- Your baby points to request things but never points just to share something interesting with you (for example, pointing at a bird or airplane).
- Your baby isn't pointing and also has limited eye contact or doesn't respond to their name consistently.
- Your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
- Your baby was pointing and has stopped, along with any other loss of social or communication skills - regression always needs evaluation.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't pointing — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 14 months and shares attention with you in other ways - looking back and forth, holding up toys, or reaching toward interesting things — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-9 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is isn't pointing normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't pointing?
When is isn't pointing normal?
What causes isn't pointing?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't pointing?
Is isn't pointing normal at 6-9 months?
Is isn't pointing normal at 10-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't pointing?
Does isn't pointing go away on its own?
References
- [1]CDC Milestone Tracker - Important Milestones: Your Child By 12 Months CDC
- [2]American Academy of Pediatrics - Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening AAP
- [3]American Academy of Pediatrics - Joint Attention and Social Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder AAP
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Pointing.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't pointing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is 14-18 months and doesn't point in any form (whole hand or index finger) and doesn't show you objects by holding them up.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to follow your point - when you point at something across the room, they look at your hand instead of where you're pointing.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is 14-18 months and doesn't point in any form (whole hand or index finger) and doesn't show you objects by holding them up.
- Your baby doesn't seem to follow your point - when you point at something across the room, they look at your hand instead of where you're pointing.
- Your baby points to request things but never points just to share something interesting with you (for example, pointing at a bird or airplane).
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
- Your baby was pointing and has stopped, along with any other loss of social or communication skills - regression always needs evaluation.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of isn't pointing are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is over 18 months with no pointing, limited eye contact, and few or no words - this combination warrants prompt developmental evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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